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Cattleya trianae is often confused with:
Cattleya Pair of classic purple corsage orchids with frilly dark lip
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cattleya forbesii Flower
Cattleya labiata Flower
Cattleya mossiae Flower
Cattleya trianae has some common insect problems:
Boisduval Scale
Hemispherical Scale
Greenhouse Thrips
Cattleya trianae has some other problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants
False Spider Mites

Christmas Orchid Cattleya trianae

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
KAT-lee-yuh try-AN-ay-ee
Description

Christmas orchid is a tropical, epiphytic herbaceous perennial in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is endemic to the rainforests of Colombia. The species was named after the 19th-century Colombian botanist José Jeronimo Triana. The species is threatened by habitat destruction.

The cultural conditions for the Christmas orchid are the same as for other cattleya orchids. 

The Christmas orchid is a unifoliate cattleya, meaning it has just one leaf per pseudobulb. It produces flowers on pseudobulbs formed during the previous growing season and after a period of rest. Christmas orchid is naturally variable in color. Some have pinkish flowers while others are blue to lavender. White forms with contrasting lips also exist. Numerous color forms and varieties have been named, but these are no longer treated as distinct from the species. The Christmas orchid in its many forms has been used extensively in hybridization and often imparts vigor and a small lip to its hybrid offspring, as well as a strong tendency toward winter flowering. Christmas orchid is the national flower of Columbia. 

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: If kept outside, the plant may be attacked by slugs, snails, thrips, scale insects and mealybugs. Search the plant periodically for spider mites. They can be problematic when the humidity is too low.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Cattleya.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#specimen#purple flowers#colorful#epiphytic#pet friendly#hanging baskets#endangered#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#orchid#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#specimen#purple flowers#colorful#epiphytic#pet friendly#hanging baskets#endangered#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#orchid#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cattleya
    Species:
    trianae
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Columbia
    Distribution:
    cultivated worldwide
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    A terminal raceme, only one stalk growing per pseudobulb. The inflorescence is enclosed in a sheath to support the weight of the flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Rubbery
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves emerge from pseudobulbs and are thick, waxy, and leathery. The venation is parallel and the midveins are deeply impressed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen